General Licensing Class
Your HF Transmitter
Lake Area Radio Klub
Spring 2012
Amateur Radio General Class
Element 3 Course Presentation
 ELEMENT 3 SUB-ELEMENTS
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
1 - Your Passing CSCE
2 - Your New General Bands
3 - FCC Rules
4 - Be a VE
5 - Voice Operations
6 - CW Lives
7 - Digital Operating
8 - In An Emergency
9 - Skywave Excitement
2
(Groupings)
Amateur Radio General Class
Element 3 Course Presentation
 ELEMENT 3 SUB-ELEMENTS
 10 - Your HF Transmitter
• 11 - Your Receiver
• 12 - Oscillators & Components
• 13 - Electrical Principles
• 14 - Circuits
• 15 - Good Grounds
• 16 - HF Antennas
• 17 - Coax Cable
• 18 - RF & Electrical Safety
3
(Groupings)
Your HF Transmitter
 Amplitude modulation is the name of the process that changes the
envelope of an RF wave to carry information. (G8A01)
Basic Xmtr
Block Diagram of
Radio Transmitter
Your HF Transmitter
 Amplitude modulation is the type of modulation that varies the
instantaneous power level of the RF signal. (G8A05)
 A balanced modulator is the circuit used to combine signals from
the carrier oscillator and speech amplifier and send the result to the
filter in a typical single-sideband phone transmitter. (G7C02)
Your HF Transmitter
 Both upper and lower sidebands would be found at the output of a
properly adjusted balanced modulator. (G8A12)
Filtering an
SSB Signal
SSB Transmitter
Block Diagram
Your HF Transmitter
 A filter is used to process signals from the balanced modulator and
send them to the mixer in a single-sideband phone transmitter. (G7C01)
Filters are also used in amateur radio transmitters.
SSB Transmitter Block Diagram
 Another advantage is that the phone emission that uses the narrowest
frequency bandwidth is single sideband. (G8A07)
Your HF Transmitter
 One advantage of carrier suppression in a single-sideband phone
transmission is that the available transmitter power can be used
more effectively. (G8A06)
 The purpose of a speech processor as used in a modern transceiver
is to increase the intelligibility of transmitted phone signals
during poor conditions. (G4D01)
 A speech processor increases average power of a transmitted
single sideband phone signal. (G4D02)
 The transmit audio or microphone gain control is typically
adjusted for proper Automatic Level Control (ALC) setting on an
amateur single sideband transceiver. (G8A09)
 The purpose of using Automatic Level Control (ALC) with a RF power
amplifier is to reduce distortion due to excessive drive. (G4A05)
Your HF Transmitter
 Excessive drive power can lead to permanent damage when using a
solid-state RF power amplifier. (G4A07)
 Another effect of over-modulation is excessive bandwidth. (G8A08)
 An incorrectly adjusted speech processor can cause: (G4D03)
 Distorted speech
 Splatter
 Excessive background pickup
 All of these choices are correct.
Your HF Transmitter
 Flat-topping of a single-sideband phone transmission is signal
distortion caused by excessive drive. (G8A10)
Oscilloscope Waveform
Showing “Flattopping”
Your HF Transmitter
 One test that is often run on a SSB transmitter is the two-tone test. A
two-tone test analyzes the linearity of a transmitter. (G4B15)
 Two non-harmonically related audio signals are used to conduct a
two-tone test. (G4B16)
Your HF Transmitter
 An oscilloscope is an item of test equipment that contains horizontal
and vertical channel amplifiers. (G4B01)
Dual Trace Oscilloscope
Your HF Transmitter
 An oscilloscope is an item of test equipment that contains horizontal
and vertical channel amplifiers. (same statement as previous slide) (G4B01)
V & H Channel Amplifiers
Your HF Transmitter
 An oscilloscope is the best instrument to use when checking the
keying waveform of a CW transmitter. (G4B03)
Your HF Transmitter
 The attenuated RF output of the transmitter is the signal source
that is connected to the vertical input of an oscilloscope when
checking the RF envelope pattern of a transmitted signal. (G4B04)
 One advantage of an oscilloscope versus a digital voltmeter is that
complex waveforms can be measured. (G4B02)
 A time delay sometimes included in a transmitter keying circuit to
allow time for transmit-receive changeover operations to
complete properly before RF output is allowed. (G4A09)
 The reason for neutralizing the final amplifier stage of a transmitter is
to eliminate self-oscillations. (G7B13)
Your HF Transmitter
 Frequency modulation is the name of the process which changes
the frequency of an RF wave to convey information. (G8A03)
Modulation of RF Carrier
Your HF Transmitter
 When a modulating audio signal is applied to an FM transmitter, the
carrier frequency changes proportionally to the instantaneous
amplitude of the modulating signal. (G8A11)
 The multiplier is the name of the stage in a VHF FM transmitter that
generates a harmonic of a lower frequency signal to reach the desired
operating frequency. (G8B04)
 16 kHz is the total bandwidth of an FM-phone transmission having a 5
kHz deviation and a 3 kHz modulating frequency. (G8B06)
• Total Bandwidthis equal to the peak devation + the highest modulating frequency times 2.
 (because the FM signal is symetrical about the carrier frequency).
• In this example the total bandwidth would be (5 KHz + 3KHz ) * 2 or (8 KHz) *2 or 16 KHz.
Your HF Transmitter
 416.7 Hz is the frequency deviation for a 12.21-MHz reactancemodulated oscillator in a 5-kHz deviation, 146.52-MHz FM-phone
transmitter. (G8B07)
•
•
•
Since the FM deviation is also multiplied, there will be much less than 5 KHz deviation
on the oscillator that is being multiplied up to the transmit frequency.
The multiplier would be 146.52 MHz divided by 12.21 MHz or 12.
Therefore if we desired 5 KHz of deviation at 146.52 would only need 1/12 of that at
12.21 or the required deviation would be 5,000 Hz divided by 12 or 416.66 Hertz.
 Phase modulation is produced by a reactance modulator connected
to an RF power amplifier. (G8A04)
 Phase modulation is the name of the process that changes the phase
angle of an RF wave to convey information. (G8A02)
Your HF Transmitter
 To determine the efficiency of an RF power amplifier, divide the RF
output power by the DC input power. (G7B08)
•
Example:
• A 100 watt 2 meter power amplifier that draws 10 amperes from a 13.8 Volt
Power supply has an efficiency of 72%.
• Efficiency = 100 watts / (13.8 * 10)
• Efficiency = 100/138
• Efficiency = 72%
 The output PEP from a transmitter is 100 watts if an oscilloscope
measures 200 volts peak-to-peak across a 50-ohm dummy load
connected to the transmitter output. (G5B06)




PEP =[ (200 / 2) x .707] ² / R
PEP= [70.7] ² / 50
PEP= 4,998 / 50
PEP= 99.97 Watts
Your HF Transmitter
 625 watts is the output PEP from a transmitter if an oscilloscope
measures 500 volts peak-to-peak across a 50-ohm resistor connected
to the transmitter output. (G5B14)
•
•
•
•
PEP =[ (500 / 2) x .707] ² / R
PEP= [ 250 * .707] ² / 50
PEP= [176.75] ² / 50
PEP= 31,240. 56 / 50
•
PEP = 624.81 Watts
 The ratio of peak envelope power to average power for an
unmodulated carrier is 1.00. (G5B11)
 1060 watts is the output PEP of an unmodulated carrier if an average
reading wattmeter connected to the transmitter output indicates 1060
watts. (G5B13)
Your HF Transmitter
 A two-times increase or decrease in power results in a change of
approximately 3 dB. (G5B01)
Definition of a Decibel
Your HF Transmitter
 To make the S-meter on a distant receiver rise from S8 to S9, you
would have to raise the power output of your transmitter
approximately 4 times. (G4D07)
0 dB
=
0 times change
3 dB
=
2 times change
6 dB
=
4 times change
9 dB
=
8 times change
10 dB
=
10 times change
 Assuming a properly calibrated S meter, an S meter reading of 20 dB
over S-9 is 100 times stronger compared to an S-9 signal. (G4D05)
Your HF Transmitter
 The Class C amplifier is not linear. A Class C power stage is
appropriate for amplifying a CW modulated signal. (G7B11)
 Class C amplifiers have the highest efficiency. (G7B12)
Lowest
Distortion
Highest
Efficiency
Various Classes of Transistorized Amplifiers
Your HF Transmitter
 Linear amplifiers are usually Class A amplifiers. Low distortion is a
characteristic of a Class A amplifier. (G7B10)
• This is because 100 % of the waveform is amplified.
• They are, therefore, most appropriate for amplifying phone signals.
 An amplifier in which the output preserves the input waveform is
called a linear amplifier. (G7B14)
• A linear amplifier is an amplifier in which the output preserves the input waveform.
 The correct adjustment for the load or coupling control of a vacuum tube
RF power amplifier is to adjust for maximum power output without
exceeding maximum allowable plate current. (G4A08)
 A pronounced dip on the plate current meter of a vacuum tube RF power
amplifier indicates correct adjustment of the plate tuning control. (G4A04)
Element 3 General Class
Question Pool
Your HF Transmitter
Valid July 1, 2011
Through
June 30, 2015
G8A01 What is the name of the
process that
changes the
envelope of an RF wave to
convey information?
A. Phase modulation
B. Frequency modulation
C. Spread Spectrum modulation
D. Amplitude modulation
G8A05 What type of modulation
varies the
instantaneous
power level of the RF signal?
A. Frequency shift keying
B. Pulse modulation
C. Frequency modulation
D. Amplitude modulation
G7C02
Which circuit is used to combine signals from the
carrier oscillator and speech amplifier and send the result to
the filter in a typical single-sideband phone transmitter?
A. Mixer
B. Detector
C. IF amplifier
D. Balanced modulator
G8A12 What signal(s) would be found at the
output of a properly adjusted
balanced modulator?
A. Both upper and lower sidebands
B. Either upper or lower sideband, but not both
C. Both upper and lower sidebands and the carrier
D. The modulating signal and the unmodulated carrier
G7C01
Which of the following is used to process signals from
the balanced modulator and send them to the mixer in a
single-sideband phone transmitter?
A. Carrier oscillator
B. Filter
C. IF amplifier
D. RF amplifier
G8A07 Which of the following phone
emissions
uses the narrowest
frequency
bandwidth?
A. Single sideband
B. Double sideband
C. Phase modulation
D. Frequency modulation
G8A06 What is one advantage of
carrier
suppression in
a single-sideband
phone
transmission?
A. Audio fidelity is improved
B. Greater modulation percentage is obtainable with lower
distortion
C. The available transmitter power can be used more
effectively
D. Simpler receiving equipment can be used
G4D01 What is the purpose of a
speech processor
as used in a
modern
transceiver?
A. Increase the
intelligibility of transmitted phone signals
during poor conditions.
B. Increase transmitter bass response for more natural
sounding SSB signals.
C. Prevent distortion of voice signals.
D. Decrease high-frequency voice output to prevent out of
band operation.
G4D02 Which of the following
describes how a
speech
processor affects a transmitted
single sideband phone signal?
A. It increases the peak power
B. It increases the average power
C. It reduces harmonic distortion
D. It reduces intermodulation distortion
G8A09 What control is typically adjusted
for proper ALC setting on an
amateur single sideband transceiver?
A. The RF Clipping Level
B. Transmit audio or microphone gain
C. Antenna inductance or capacitance
D. Attenuator Level
G4A05 What is a purpose of using
Automatic
Level Control
(ALC) with a RF power
amplifier?
A. To balance the transmitter audio frequency response
B. To reduce harmonic radiation
C. To reduce distortion due to excessive drive
D. To increase overall efficiency
G4A07
What condition can lead to permanent damage
when using a solidstate RF power amplifier?
A. Exceeding the Maximum Usable Frequency.
B. Low input SWR.
C. Shorting the input signal to ground.
D. Excessive drive power.
G8A08 Which of the following is an
effect of
modulation?
A. Insufficient audio.
B. Insufficient bandwidth.
C. Frequency drift.
D. Excessive bandwidth.
over-
G4D03 Which of the following can be
the result of
an incorrectly
adjusted speech processor?
A. Distorted speech
B. Splatter
C. Excessive background pickup
D. All of these answers are correct
G8A10 What is meant by flat-topping of a
single-sideband phone transmission?
A. Signal distortion caused by insufficient collector
current.
B. The transmitter’s automatic level control is properly
adjusted.
C. Signal distortion caused by excessive drive.
D. The transmitter’s carrier is properly suppressed.
G4B15 What type of transmitter
performance
tone
test analyze?
A. Linearity.
does a two-
B. Carrier and undesired sideband suppression.
C. Percentage of frequency modulation.
D. Percentage of carrier phase shift.
G4A16 What signals are used to
conduct a two-tone test?
A. Two audio signals of the same frequency shifted 90degrees
B. Two non-harmonically related audio signals
C. Two swept frequency tones
D. Two audio frequency range square wave signals of equal
amplitude
G4B01 What item of test equipment
contains horizontal and vertical
channel amplifiers?
A. An ohmmeter
B. A signal generator
C. An ammeter
D. An oscilloscope
G4B03 Which of the following is the
best
instrument to use to
check the keying
waveform of a CW transmitter?
A. An oscilloscope
B. A field-strength meter
C. A sidetone monitor
D. A wavemeter
G4B04
What signal source is connected to the vertical
input of an oscilloscope when checking the RF
envelope pattern of a transmitted signal?
A. The local oscillator of the transmitter
B. An external RF oscillator
C. The transmitter balanced mixer output
D. The attenuated RF output of the transmitter
G4B02
Which of the following is an advantage
of an oscilloscope versus a digital voltmeter?
A. An oscilloscope uses less power
B. Complex impedances can be easily
measured
C. Input impedance is much lower
D. Complex waveforms can be measured
G4A09 Why is a time delay
sometimes included
in a
transmitter keying circuit?
A. To prevent stations from talking over each other
B. To allow the transmitter power regulators to charge
properly
C. To allow time for transmit-receive changeover operations
to complete properly before RF output is allowed
D. To allow time for a warning signal to be sent to other
stations
G7B13 What is the reason for
neutralizing
the final
amplifier stage of a transmitter?
A. To limit the modulation index
B. To eliminate self-oscillations
C. To cut off the final amplifier during standby periods
D. To keep the carrier on frequency
G8A03 What is the name of the
process which
changes the
frequency of an RF wave to
convey information?
A. Frequency convolution
B. Frequency transformation
C. Frequency conversion
D. Frequency modulation
G8A11 What happens to the RF
carrier signal
when a
modulating audio signal is
applied to an FM transmitter?
A. The carrier frequency changes proportionally to the instantaneous
amplitude of the modulating signal
B. The carrier frequency changes proportionally to the amplitude and
frequency of the modulating signal
C. The carrier amplitude changes proportionally to the instantaneous
frequency of the modulating signal
D. The carrier phase changes proportionally to the instantaneous
amplitude of the modulating signal
G8B04
What is the name of the stage in a VHF FM transmitter
that generates a harmonic of a lower frequency signal
to reach the desired operating frequency?
A. Mixer
B. Reactance modulator
C. Pre-emphasis network
D. Multiplier
G8B06
A. 3 kHz
B. 5 kHz
C. 8 kHz
D. 16 kHz
What is the total bandwidth of an FMphone transmission having a 5 kHz
deviation and a 3 kHz modulating frequency?
G8B07
What is the frequency deviation for a 12.21-MHz
reactance-modulated oscillator in a 5-kHz
deviation, 146.52-MHz FM-phone transmitter?
A. 101.75 Hz
B. 416.7 Hz
C. 5 kHz
D. 60 kHz
G8A04 What emission is produced by a
reactance modulator connected to
an RF power amplifier?
A. Multiplex modulation
B. Phase modulation
C. Amplitude modulation
D. Pulse modulation
G8A02 What is the name of the process
that changes the phase angle of an
RF wave to convey information?
A. Phase convolution
B. Phase modulation
C. Angle convolution
D. Radian Inversion
G7B08 How is the efficiency of an
RF power
determined?
amplifier
A. Divide the DC input power by the DC output power
B. Divide the RF output power by the DC input power
C. Multiply the RF input power by the reciprocal of the RF
output power
D. Add the RF input power to the DC output power
G5B06
What is the output PEP from a transmitter if an oscilloscope
measures 200 volts peak-to-peak across a 50-ohm dummy
load connected to the transmitter output?
A. 1.4 watts
B. 100 watts
C. 353.5 watts
D. 400 watts
G5B14
What is the output PEP from a transmitter if an oscilloscope
measures 500 volts peak-to-peak across a 50-ohm resistor
connected to the transmitter output?
A. 8.75 watts
B. 625 watts
C. 2500 watts
D. 5000 watts
G5B11 What is the ratio of peak envelope
power to average power for an
unmodulated carrier?
A. 0.707
B. 1.00
C. 1.414
D. 2.00
G5B13
What is the output PEP of an unmodulated
carrier if an average reading wattmeter connected
to the transmitter output indicates 1060 watts?
A. 530 watts
B. 1060 watts
C. 1500 watts
D. 2120 watts
G5B01 A two-times increase or
decrease in
power results
in a change of how many dB?
A. Approximately 2 dB
B. Approximately 3 dB
C. Approximately 6 dB
D. Approximately 12 dB
G4D07
How much must the power output of a transmitter
be raised to change the "S" meter reading on a
distant receiver from S8 to S9?
A. Approximately 1.5 times
B. Approximately 2 times
C. Approximately 4 times
D. Approximately 8 times
G4D05
How does an S-meter reading of 20 db over S-9
compare to an S-9 signal, assuming a properly
calibrated S meter?
A. It is 10 times weaker
B. It is 20 times weaker
C. It is 20 times stronger
D. It is 100 times stronger
G7B11 For which of the following
modes is a
Class C power
stage appropriate for
amplifying a modulated signal?
A. SSB
B. CW
C. AM
D. All of these answers are correct
G7B12 Which of these classes of
amplifiers has the highest efficiency?
A. Class A.
B. Class B.
C. Class AB.
D. Class C.
G7B10 Which of the following is a
characteristic
amplifier?
A. Low standby power
B. High Efficiency
C. No need for bias
D. Low distortion
of a Class A
G7B14 Which of the following describes a
linear amplifier?
A. Any RF power amplifier used in conjunction with an
amateur transceiver
B. An amplifier whose output preserves the input
waveform
C. A Class C high efficiency amplifier
D. An amplifier used as a frequency multiplier
G4A08 What is the correct
adjustment for the
load or
coupling control of a
vacuum tube RF power
amplifier?
A. Minimum SWR on the antenna
B. Minimum plate current without exceeding maximum
allowable grid current
C. Highest plate voltage while minimizing grid current
D. Maximum power output without exceeding maximum
allowable plate current
G4A04
What reading on the plate current meter of
a vacuum tube RF power amplifier indicates
correct adjustment of the plate tuning control?
A. A pronounced peak
B. A pronounced dip
C. No change will be observed
D. A slow, rhythmic oscillation